Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-07-14
DEDICATION.
The East Bridgeton Chapel
Dedicated.


many who did not understand what it
meant. The sound came from East
Bridgeton, and the bell was the same
that rang out at the Old Session
House fifty years ago; but this time
it was ringing people to the pretty
little chapel, which has been built by
the Presbyterians, to listen to the
dedication services of the edifce.
The building is situated on the east
of the Port Norris railroad, near the
reservoir, and standing, as it does,
upon corner, presents very pleas
ing, if not imposing, appearance. 1t
is a one-story building, to be used for
Sunday-school and prayer meeting
purposes. Inside it is as cozy as one
could wish, with chairs enough to seat
two hundred people. 1t is finished up
in hard wood, and oiled. At the win
dows are yellow curtains. In the
north end or back of the chapel is a
platform with a stand on it. The
chandelier fixtures are beautiful
Nearly two hundred persons We're
present to witness the dedication cere-
monies. In the northwest corner of
the rooms was a lot of ferns and beau
tiful flowers furnished from the gar
dens and conservatory of B. t. Bright.
In the rear of the stand was a large
cross made of evergreen, while around
the room were small tables upon which
were beautiful bouquets.
Rev. H. H. Beadle conducted the
exercises. The meeting was opened
with a hymn, and Rev. DR.. Brodhead
made the dedication prayer. The
choir, composed of members of the
First Presbyterian Church choir, then
rendered a selection, and Rev. Henry
Reeves read a portion of Scripture:
l Kings, Sth chapter-"The dedication
of the temple" and the CXXII Psalm,
"a song of degrees of David"
Mr.. Joseph Hankins, a teacher of
the East Bridgeton Sabbath-school,
then read historical sketch of the
school from its beginning. 1t was first
opened in the residence of J. Howard
Loper, October 31st, 1886, with but
very few members. From this the
school had grown step by step until
now it has assumed very fair proper
tions, having a membership of sixty
five, with an average attendance of
fifty. 1t has good corps of teachers,
and an excellent Superintendent in
the person of Chas. H. Pierson, who
is ably assisted by J. Howard Loper.
This sketch was followed by care
fully prepared report from the Build
ing Committe read by P. X. Reeves,
the President of the committee. In
his report he showed that the total
cost of the chapel and the furnishings
was $1,000 and of that amount there
had been $119S pledged, leaving an
Indebtedness of about $100 The lot
upon which the building stood was
worth $400, but through the kindness
of Chas r. Elmer, Esq, it had been
purchased. Following hymn by the
choir came the dedication sermon of
Rev. w. H. Belden, which lasted
about half an hour. He took for his
text that portion of Scripture found in
xvii Psalm and 4th verse: "One thing
| desired O. Lord that will | seek
after; that | may dwell in the house of
the Lord all the days of my life, to be-
hold the beauty of the Lord and to in
quire in his temple" From these
words he drew u beautiful sermon
such as teemed with sound advice, and
was with all a most interesting ad-
dress. He said that in coming to this
beautiful little place of worship We
should come in God fearing manner
and in search of the spirit and not in
the way that some did. Not to hear
the beautiful music nor the eloquence
of the minister, but to get filled with
the spirit of God and endeavor to i'm
prove our lives. Sound advice was
given the children before he finished
his excellent sermon.
A hymn followed and Rev. H. H.
Beadle made prayer. Then another
hymn followed and Rev. Henry
Reeves arose to make few remarks.
He said that the sound of the old bell
which was above him as it sounded on
the clear evening air, had served to
carry his memory away back some
fifty years ago as it stood upon the old
session house on Commerce and Pearl
streets and which had long since been
removed, and the ringing of the bell
had called him to church and he had
went and many were the pleasant
sessions he had there. He hoped that
the members of the Sunday school,
who came into this handsome little
chapel, would have many such pleas.
antsessions. He ended his address with
some advice, which if followed will
advance the cause which all good